Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcel Zeh.
Hi Marcel, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
As cliche as it may sound, I never had any intention of going into my current industry, let alone becoming an entrepreneur; at least not in the way, everything has happened. I moved to Dallas from Atlanta, GA in 2018; Like many others, I’ve met during my time here, the job I had at the time brought about the move. I was formerly a college admissions advisor/recruitment coordinator, most recently recruiting for the University of Minnesota. I didn’t buy my first camera until the beginning of 2019 and only really began shooting consistently at the end of that year. During the midst of the madness that was 2020, even as crazy as it seemed to myself, I made the decision to leave my job and see what I could make happen for myself. I’ve been a serial entrepreneur ever since mainly freelancing as a photographer and now videographer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road? HA! That wouldn’t make for a very interesting journey, would it? I’ve most definitely had my share of growing pains, missed opportunities, self-doubt, lack of motivation, financial ups and downs, mental health and wellness struggles; I mean, I could keep going. By no means has it been all struggle; honestly, some of the struggles have been part of the fun of the journey but to say that I haven’t experienced growing pains wouldn’t be accurate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer/videographer but consider myself a photographer first and foremost. There’s just something about stills and capturing a moment that grabs me. I specialize in lifestyle/branding, creative and environmental portraits, corporate services, and real estate.
I am most proud of the growth and consistency I’ve shown in learning my craft, as well as the discipline I’ve had to develop to better myself as an entrepreneur, especially one in a creative field.
As weird as it may sound, I don’t put much thought into what others are doing or what “sets me apart.” There are a number of other creatives that do what I do and do it differently. What sets me apart is that I am me and am only concerned with doing whatever necessary to be the best version of me. This directly affects how I choose to interact with the world and the people who cross my path.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I’m not much one for advice. Advice, no matter how well-intentioned, comes with consequences that the giver doesn’t have to deal with. Some perspective I’ve gained through my journey starts with a simple thing a mentor of mine made sure I understood; you have to have a belief in self before anything else. All the goals and ambition and planning in the world won’t matter if, at the end of the day, you don’t have a belief that you can, will, and deserve to have whatever it is you seek to accomplish.
There’s a lot more, I guess, practical advice I could give, but it all starts with that right there. Oh, and also, just keep going. Keep going until it’d almost be foolish for you to stop or turn around.
Contact Info:
- Website: zehdigitalmedia.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zehdigital/
